What is a Smart Building & How does it Save Energy?

Author: Peter Garrett

Smart buildings are on-trend everywhere. Homes and businesses have been adopting smart technology that allows for automating everyday processes in their properties. The concept of smart buildings is all about monitoring and optimising every aspect of a property’s operation. So, what really is a smart building, and how does it help you save energy? Read on to find out:

What is a Smart Building?

A smart building uses multiple Internet of Things devices and solutions that constantly examine the various elements of a building and generate insights on the usage patterns and trends. By looking into this data, users can fine-tune the operations of their property. In other words, you get to understand how your building functions, after which you can strategically automate the operations for reducing costs.

4 Key Benefits of Smart Buildings:

Besides less energy usage, here are other benefits of smart buildings:

  • Better building efficiency
  • Predictive maintenance
  • Improved employee productivity
  • Proper usage of resources

How do Smart Buildings Save Energy?

Here are the different ways smart buildings will allow you to save energy:

  • Smart Lighting Control:

One of the features of a smart building worth mentioning is the integration of advanced lighting controls. These systems can automatically operate the lighting equipment across the building, based on how you set it up. Your building will turn on and off the lights at different times without manual intervention. Furthermore, a smart building will also analyse if its HVAC energy usage will be impacted by opening the smart windows and letting in the natural light.

  • Sophisticated Energy Management:

One of the important purposes of automated building systems is reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint. Smart buildings can automatically detect or notify any fault on systems, so as to minimise downtime and prevent high repair costs. As it enables timely maintenance and system efficiency, you get to make great energy savings. While a system in a conventional building is occasionally optimised, those in smart buildings are continuously monitored and optimised for superior performance. By predicting repairs and ensuring efficiency, energy management is a breeze.

  • Smart Heating & Cooling Systems:

Smart HVAC combined with the capabilities of the energy management system will let you make more savings down the road. Smart HVAC equipment can monitor environmental conditions and operate the system by itself at predefined times. The sensors can also monitor occupancy in the building, and the data collected can be used for optimisation. Occupancy data is usually used to adjust the comfort settings at different workspaces.

  • Other Measures to Reduce Energy Usage:

Smart buildings let you reduce energy usage by implementing other measures such as smart plug load controls, smart ceiling fans, and more.

Smart building control solutions can undoubtedly make a good impact on the environment. You will also notice your energy bills going on a diet. If you’d like to know more, talk to the experts today and see how they can help.